Upcoming free seminar- be a garden detetctive

This is a fabulous seminar and totally free.  Yes, I'll be there to help organize it, but I'd go even without it being my volunteer work because the information is so good.  Here's the official blurb:

Just when you think you've done everything right by your plants, one of them starts to go downhill.  One of the biggest challenges for gardeners is correctly diagnosing plant problems and finding effective, safe solutions.  Is your plant dying because of an insect, environmental or disease problem? Join us at this free seminar and develop your garden detective skills!

Become a Garden Detective
Saturday, May 29, 2010
10am-Noon

Zilker Botanical Garden
2220 Barton Springs Rd.

Join us to learn the causes of plant problems, the process for diagnosing plant problems, and preventive garden management techniques. This seminar is free and open to the public.  It is presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners Association, a volunteer arm of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County. For information, see http://www.tcmastergardeners.org or call the Travis County Master Gardener's help desk at (512) 854-9600.

Wildflowers at the Elementary- can the kids stand the wait?

Last fall when we had a wildflower stomp at River Place Elementary, the one thing we all wondered is whether the kids would be able to stand the wait it would take until they saw blooms.  Well, the kids had lots of other gardening on their minds as we had them planting in their new Titan Gardens raised beds.  But we started to see some wildflowers peeking out about a month ago.

Since then, some kids must have been pouring super-caffeinated Mountain Dew on these plants, because they suddenly came out of nowhere and have created a gorgeous blanket of yellow, orange and purple next to our garden area.

This is a wonderful thing for the kids to see, beyond the stunning colors and insect activity, but also that some things are well worth the wait.

Things I noticed on a Monday morning

1.  Mexican Feather Grass:  I want to run my fingers through the Mexican Feather Grass constantly.  Or plant a field of it and lay down.  Ahhhhhhhh...







2.  Ummm, little ladybugs...get a room.  Just kidding, good to see you guys multiplying as much as possible.

3.   There is something growing in my compost pile.  Since this photo I have noticed either cucumber or squash plants coming out everywhere.  Amazing how I can do NOTHING to them and they love it here but growing them in the garden dirt can be such a struggle.  Just goes to show you how important organic matter is to seeds.

Poppies!

For those who visited my house in early spring and heard my wishful talk about the poppies I had seeded into the wildflower (septic) field next to my house, you'll be happy to know that the poppies are putting on quite a show. Dazzling red color in the front of the filed, with a daring pink poppy who defies the odds. Hard to capture the reds in a wide shot, so I went in for a closeup.

There were so many bees joyfully jumping from flower to flower that the humming volume was pretty incredible. I had to put aside my bug aversion and go in for a close-up when I saw two bees having a big old time.

Wait for it, wait for it....NOW!

Good lord, I wait for it all spring, watching the new growth emerge on the Confederate Jasmine and then the buds.  These vines are about 8 years old, transferred from our old house because we loved them too much to leave them to the guy who bought it.  And they settled down happily here and began a fast climb up the deck supports. 

And every April, they give a show like you wouldn't believe.  Complete with smelly-vision.  Because they smell REALLY REALLY good.  White flowers just cover the vine and stick around for about 2 weeks, coating eveything in that incredible smell. 

Confederate jasmine.  Woody perennial, evergreen leaves on it year round so perfect for coverage.  Flowers about April with small white flowers and intense smell.  Climber with help given for something to grab on to (in this case electrical wire wound around the posts).  Wouldn't necessarily call it deer resistant as I tried to grow some on an unprotected fence and deer just kept eating it down to a nub until it died.  Drought tolerant once established.

If you love aromas, you need one of these.